Imagine not requiring the use of money to buy a can of pop or a chocolate bar from a vending machine.

Toronto Metro, Daily newspaper - Tuesday, April 22, 2003, page 23.

COMING SOON: CELL VENDING

Toronto-based cStar Technologies Inc. is bringing wireless
communications to a whole new level. They offer a cell-phone dial-up
technology solution for all types of cell-phones, with the capability
designed for purchases from vending machines.

This wireless innovation brings consumers to a cashless environment,
making any type of purchase available anywhere, anytime.

cStar's SkyGate product line is a wireless gateway designed for non-IT
devices, such as vending machines. Thanks to SkyGate, technicians will
know which vending machines don't need to be visited.

"Cashless vending machines can save companies money (up to 60 per cent)
by sending alerts through either the carrier or wireless networks to the
technician," said Stella Yoon, president and CEO of cStar.

"These alerts can tell the technician which machine needs to be serviced
right away and why. For example, it will tell them if an item needs to
be restocked, or if there's a coin jam."

Purchases made over a cell-phone would be added to your cell-phone bill.
The billing system is still being worked on and is in final negotiating
stages. Companies like Bell, and Rogers, AT&T have showed a great
interest in this cashless vending machines venture.

"SkyGate is basically a communications device which connects any non-IT
device to the IT world," said Yoon. "I believe that this is only the
precursor of mobile commerce."

According to Yoon, cStar is focusing on the "third wave" of the
Internet. The first wave let users connect their PCs through landline,
while the second wave brought wireless data to cell-phones and PDAs. The
third wave brings wireless capabilities to the non-IT world. Yoon said,
"It's the beginning of a whole new technological world."

Already introduced in Japan and the U.S., cell-phone vending can be
expected to hit Canada as early as this summer.